Over 900 million dollars to be invested in Cuba's Mariel Development Zone

Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM by its Spanish acronym) has currently raised more than 900 million dollars through foreign investment, said Ana Teresa Igarza, director general of the office of that enclave, which has a significant impact on the Cuban national economy.At Mesa Redonda TV program, Igarza commented that once these investments are made, , driven by companies from Mexico, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Vietnam, Brazil, South Korea and Cuba, 2 837 jobs will be generated.To date, there are 19 users at ZEDM, seven of them are already in operation, some from a temporary headquarters and others in their permanent offices and most of them are focused primarily on logistics, Igarza noted.She added that by the end of this month and the beginning of December, the first industrial plant, of medium high technology, devoted to the production of scoreboards and temperature sensors, is expected to start operating at ZEDM.According to Igarza, projects related to logistics services, the advanced manufacturing industry and biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, which promote clean technologies, innovation and knowledge, are prioritized in this special area.The users accepted to date at ZEDM are an International Economic Association, 10 entirely foreign capital companies, four mixed enterprises and equal amount of one hundred percent Cuban entities.Called to be the door of Cuba to the world, this enclave is aimed at encouraging comprehensive projects, promote exports with national products of high added value and generate jobs, in constant articulation with international trade and the domestic economy.Located 45 kilometers from Havana, this area also reflects the leading role that Cuba today gives to foreign investment to boost key sectors such as agro-industry, biotechnology, energy and tourism. (acn)